when do you get use to

TazziRN, RN · May 8, 2008

It gets better but you have to learn how to pace yourself and change your circadian rhythm. Make your room as dark as you can, and turn the phones off. Wear earplugs if you have to.

When I worked 12's nights the drive home was the hardest part for me, especially the last half hour. It became easier when we moved closer to where I worked.

GrumpyRN63, ADN, RN · May 8, 2008

It depends on your schedule and your circadium rhythm, I worked nocs for 11 years and loved it, but usually 2 8's and 2 12's, I tried again 2 PM's a week a few months ago and it was tough --but its now 10 years and 3 kids later. Some people love it, some hate it, usually we all hit the wall at 4 am, that never seems to change!!, it may take a few months to get into a groove, that commute sounds horrible though...

Bopeepinwv · May 8, 2008

If you go to bed at 9am and get up at 2pm that is only 5 hours sleep, doesn't seem like much rest. Do you have kids that require you to get up at this time? If not, I would try to get more sleep if I were you, maybe sleep to at least 3pm. Just my opinion though. I also work nights, but I do 8 hrs shifts. I try to sleep from 9-5, just like it's my daytime job. It doesn't always work out, but I try. Then get up and spend the evening with my husband and kids.

Good luck, it does get easier.

Nursebarebari · May 8, 2008

Yes it get better eventually. Try taking a nap on your break and be carefull not to fall asleep while driving home in morning.

Good luck to you

GrumpyRN63, ADN, RN · May 8, 2008

Yes it get better eventually. Try taking a nap on your break and be carefull not to fall asleep while driving home in morning.
Good luck to you

Where I work, sleeping at anytime is grounds for immediate termination :uhoh21:

rnheart · May 8, 2008

I work 7 p's for 7 years and It does get better, we called 4 am the drunk hour but we always seemed to perk up if something critical happened but some time we were absolutely hilarious, dont drink coffee after 4 or you may not sleep during the day

student-with-no-life · May 8, 2008

No my son is 20 and out of the house now. But I have 5 dogs and 2 of them are inside and they wake me up to go out. Then my husband gets up and in the process wakes me up too. Of course he gets to take a nap later because he works 11-7 shift.

I do not drink coffee, and where I work they have NO candy bars in the vending machines, none, its a health thing :rolleyes: .

I do not take a nap at all - I did find someplace to sit back and prop up my feet and close my eyes for 15. Think I might try an energy bar or drink and see if that helps.

Thanks for the advice.

chenoaspirit, ASN, RN · May 8, 2008

I agree that you arent getting enough sleep. If you continue like this, it probably wont get any better, unless you have always functioned with that amount of sleep and are used to that. I did night shifts for 3 years, everyone kept telling me to stay on the same shift even on my days off. I was never able to do that because I have kids and a husband who function on dayshift. So I was always flip-flopping back and forth. I had to tape black trash bags over my bedroom windows so it simulated night-time. I just got to the point that I couldnt do it anymore. I am now on dayshift and feel much better. I dont feel like a vampire anymore, lol. Some people can do it,some cant. I just cant do it. If you are one who can, it will take you a couple months to get a routine down and get used to it. Good luck!

medsurgrnco, BSN, RN · May 11, 2008

This issue has been discussed recently, so suggest you do a search to gain more tips on how to survive nightshift.